Can punch



June 7, 1932.

J. GRISVKO CAN PUNCH I Filed cm. 19, 1931 I jwamiar cije v/fkalso y t1on is to provide a tool Patented June 7, 1932 PATENT OFFICE J'OSEPH I. GRISKO, 0F CICERO, ILLINOIS CAN PUNCH Application filed October 19, 1931.

This invention relates to hand tools for opening cans, and more particularly to a tool for punching in the scored areas ordinarily provided on the tops of cans containing scouring or cleaning powders. The scored areas are usually circular in outline and arranged in an annular series at the middle of the can top, and the scored areas to be broken or punched in to form the sifting openings when the can is put in use.

he main object of this invention is to provide a tool by the use of which a series of sifting openings can readily be punched in a can top, particularly where the scored areas have een provided in the' standard manner above referred to.

Another and important object of the invenwhich will permit some or all of the sifting openings to be opened simultaneously and which provides for progressive engagement of the can top by the tool so that less resistance to perforation of the can top will be encountered.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tool eIn-' bodying the invention as positioned when about to be used to perforate a can top;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing certain of the prongs as partially through the can top;

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the tool, showing the alternative arrangement of long and short prongs; and

Figure 4 is a plan view of the tool from the side opposite that on which the prongs extend.

The tool preferably comprises a Hat handle 1 on one end of which there is formed a head 11, which is preferably of the flat circular or annular shape illustrated. From one face of this head there extends a series of conical prongs l2 and 13. In the present instance these prongs are shown as alternately ion 12 and short 13 for a purpose to be descri ed, and also as having rounded or blunt ends better adapted for pushing the scored areas of the can top inwardly in the specific application of the invention herein disclosed.

are adapted Serial No. 569,689.

The prongs are preferably disposed in an annular series adjacent the peripheral edge of thehead of the tool, which is also preferably circular, and the prongs are equally spaced a distance corresponding with the spacings of the scored areas on standard can tops. In the present instance the head is illustrated as an annulus or ring having one edge 14 extending on the chord of the opening in the head and adapted to constitute, in combination with the head, a standard form of bottle cap remover.

By forming the prongs alternately long and short, as herein specifically disclosed, or by forming one or more of the prongs longer than the others it is made possible to perforate or open certain of the scored areas only where it is not desired to open the entire series. Moreover, when the entire series of scored areas are to be opened, the provision of long and short prongs reduces the force necessary to be applied as prongs will progressively engage'the can top, the longer ones going through first and then the shorter ones.

It will accordingly be seen that a tool has been provided which will quickly and easily produce the sifting openings in can tops as maybe desired, instead of employing a single prong implement such as a pencil or ice pick, as has heretofore been the custom, and it will be obvious that the embodiment of the invention here disclosed in one specific form may be considerably varied without departure from the scope of the invention, as we find in the form of the claims.v

\Vhat is claimed is:

1. A can punch comprising a handle, a flat circular head-on one end thereof, and an an nularly disposed series of tapered prongs extending from one face of the head adjacent 0 the periphery thereof, certain of said prongs at diametrically opposite points on said head extending beyond other intermediate prongs.

2. A can punch comprising a handle, a at circular head onone end thereof. and an annularly disposed series of tapered prongs extending from one face of the head adjacent the periphery thereof. the prongs forming the series being alternately long and short.

3. A tool for punching in the series of scored areas on standard cleaner can tops,

comprising a fiat head having a handle ex tending from one edge thereof, and a series of spaced prongs proje of the head in position scored areas on such can top of said prongs rongs in the series.

In testimony being longer whereof I afiix cting fro 111 S1 JOSEPH I. (ZRI m one side to register with the s, one or more than the other ature. 

